Transcript

So I actually applied to HBS when I was a senior in college.   This was in the old deferred admission program.   And I had been a political science major, and had an amazing conversation with one of my favorite political science professors about my future, and would include interest in international organizations.   And he asked if I ever considered business school, which I never had.   And it really got me thinking about what I wanted to do with my life.

And to make a long story short, ended up applying to HBS.   And after doing a couple of years stint at a consulting firm, came to the school.   And along the way began to think about, "Do I really want to stay in a traditional business career?" And during that period of time I began to hear about some opportunities in the doctoral programs.   Not only the DBA program, but the joint PhD programs.   Ended up applying to both the DBA and the PhD in business economics.

And a huge driver for me to make this possible was the Dean's Doctoral Fellowship that Dean McArthur, at that time, had put into place.   And what was particularly attractive about the opportunity was essentially not only having your tuition paid for, but also receiving a stipend during each year over a three year process of being in the doctoral programs.   And the condition was, essentially, that you are admitted to the program, and that you complete your degree within the allotted period of time.   So there was actually great incentive to be efficient, and going through the program.

And that made a huge difference financially for me to be able to do the doctoral program.   And there were no guarantees that going through the program would sort of create a shoe-in for a faculty position.   But I think the expectation was if things went well in the program that you'd at least have a fair shot at a faculty appointment, and that's essentially what happened.